For a decade, CR conducted independent testing and research to highlight the dangers of cigarettes. The Surgeon General’s Advisory Committee on Smoking and Health used CR’s work to draft its landmark report.

1968

U.S. Government Mandates Seat Belts

1968

U.S. Government Mandates Seat Belts

CR tests showed two-thirds of seat belts failed basic safety and durability tests, leading CR to call for better belts and for federal standards that incorporated crash testing. The government later mandated them.

1981

Setting New Standards for Child Safety Seats

1981

Setting New Standards for Child Safety Seats

When CR first crash-tested car seats, 12 out of 15 were rated Not Acceptable. After CR published its findings, the government required manufacturers to certify that their seats would pass a similar test.

1999

Exposing the Dangers of Pesticides

1999

Exposing the Dangers of Pesticides

In a study of U.S. Department of Agriculture data, CR found pesticide levels in some fruits and vegetables were too high. Shortly after, one of the pesticides was banned for use on food crops commonly consumed by children.

2010

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Created

2010

Consumer Financial Protection Bureau Created

CR helped to mobilize support in Congress to create the CFPB, an independent agency responsible for overseeing the financial industry with powers to police abusive practices and to enact new consumer protections.

2013

Bisphenol-A Banned in Baby Products

2013

Bisphenol-A Banned in Baby Products

CR was one of the first groups to test food packaging for BPA. After working to pass bans in several states, the FDA finally announced a federal ban on BPA in baby bottles and sippy cups (2012) and infant formula packaging (2013).

2014

A Win on Backup Cameras

2014

A Win on Backup Cameras

After years of CR’s advocating for standards to address the problem of blind zones behind cars and trucks, the Department of Transportation finally required backup cameras in all vehicles less than 10,000 pounds by 2018.

2017

Health Insurance Mega-Mergers Blocked

2017

Health Insurance Mega-Mergers Blocked

Four of the largest health insurers were seeking separate mergers. CR raised concerns about how the move would cut choices, drive up costs and compromise quality, pressing the Justice Department to block them.